A minimum wage case before the Florida Supreme Court will determine whether Miami Beach can move ahead with an ordinance passed by the city commission in 2016. The issue is whether a 2003 state law stopping local governments from setting their own minimum wage supersedes a 2004 voter-approved constitutional amendment. Miami Beach city commissioners voted to phase in a higher minimum wage that would reach $13.31 an hour by 2021. That would be about $5 more an hour than the state’s minimum wage.

The City of Miami Beach is in a battle with the state that could impact hundreds of Florida municipalities . It’s about home rule and the city’s ability to set its own policy when it comes to wages. Florida’s minimum wage is $8.25 an hour. The amount may go up each year based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. Miami Beach leaders voted two years ago to approve a higher minimum wage than the state.

Governor Rick Scott’s decision to start the process of appointing new Florida Supreme Court justices has ignited a looming constitutional crisis. Lynn Hatter reports at the center of the issue is who—the outgoing or incoming governor—has the authority to make those appointments. The City of Miami Beach is in a battle with the state that could impact hundreds of Florida municipalities. Gina Jordan tells us it’s about ‘home rule’ – and the city’s ability to set its own policy when it comes to

Just over a week after winning their respective races for governor, Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum announced their running mates. As Brenden Byrne from member station WMFE in Orlando reports, the selection for DeSantis is state lawmaker Janet Nunez and for Gillum, it’s his former gubernatorial opponent, Orlando businessman Chris King. Meanwhile, Florida Public Radio’s Sascha Cordner spoke to University of Central Florida Political Scientist Aubrey Jewett to discuss the

A surprise outcome in Florida’s democratic gubernatorial primary has Democrat’s hopeful to reclaim the governor’s mansion and wrest control from Republicans for the first time in 20 years. It also marks a strong shift to the left-and hopes rest with a man who could become the first black governor in Florida’s history. Ryan Dailey prepared this report. Congressman Ron DeSantis has won the Republican nomination for Florida governor. WMFE’s Brendan Byrne reports an endorsement from President Donald

In the last week before the state’s primary elections, Florida’s gubernatorial candidates put rubber to the road in a final push to woo voters. Ryan Dailey has the latest on neck-and-neck races in both parties. For the last nineteen years, Republicans have been the dominant political party in the Florida Legislature. Throughout virtually all of that time, the state has also had a Republican in the Governor’s Mansion. But heading into these midterm elections, there’s been plenty of speculation

Florida is 21 billion dollars in debt. And State leaders were actually happy to hear that number at the most recent Florida Cabinet meeting. The money is being used to finance initiatives like transportation and environmental projects. Gina Jordan reports the debt has fallen in recent years, bolstered in part by low interest rates and the economy. Florida’s top leadership offices are up for grabs this year and one of the largest jobs is overseeing the state’s multi-billion dollar agriculture and

A dispute over a parking space turned deadly last month, triggering a new debate over Florida’s already controversial Stand Your Ground Law. Sascha Cordner takes a look at how that debate further accelerated this week, even impacting the state’s gubernatorial contest. Florida’s problem with algal blooms has taken center stage, and efforts to mitigate it are in high demand. A partnership between an engineering and a bioplastics company aims to bring a new type of solution to the market. Ryan

A Leon County circuit judge this week rejected a proposed amendment to the constitution that would ban greyhound racing in Florida, and the state quickly appealed. Gina Jordan reports the Florida Supreme Court is being asked to decide the case before the November ballots are printed. A Florida Panhandle man may be one of the first charged under a new law for posting threatening messages on social media. Sascha Cordner reports. Ryan Torrens is a candidate for Florida Attorney General running in

Hundreds of dead sea turtles have washed up on Florida’s gulf shores this year. AnnMarie Welser reports. Once upon a time, the Red Wolf called the south and eastern United States, from Texas to Pennysylvania, home. Today, there are fewer than 40 wolves left in the wild. The species is what’s called “functionally extinct”— with most of the remaining 200 or so wolves in captivity. The Trump administration is proposing changes to the Endangered Species Act that conservationists worry, could end